Strip feeding device



Mamh 1954 A. w. METZNER STRIP FEEDING DEVICE 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed July 26, 1950 INVENTOR ALBBM MZMfTZWER March 16, 1954 Fiied July; 26, 1950 A. W- METZNER STRIP FEEDING DEVICE 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTIOR mar n. MtTZ/Vf/P March 16, 1954 w, METZNE'R 2,672,355

STRIP FEEDING DEVICE Filed July 26, 1950 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTOR 4165M n4 MfTZNE/P Patented Mar. 16, 1954 UNITED STATES ATENT OFFICE STRIP FEEDING DEVICE Albert W. Metzner, Dayton, Ohio, assignor to The Standard Register Company, Dayton, Ohio, a

corporation of Ohio 24 Claims. 1

This invention relates to feed devices, and more particularly to the kind used to advance continuous strips of series connected marginally punched record forms. Although not so limited, the invention has particular application to autographic registers and like machines, wherein marginally perforated record forms are advanced successively to and from a recording position upon a. writing table.

A general object of the invention is to produce a new pin feed device for use in strip feed mechanisms which offers the advantage of being smaller in size and requiring less working area than prior devices while operating with equal efliciency and with less likelihood of damage to the strip or feed device. I

'Another object of the invention i to present a generally new pin type feed device in which the pins are always perpendicular to the strip.

With special reference to autographic registers, a further object of the invention is to increase the amount of useful writing space on each form.

Still another object of the invention is to embody the feed devices in a unitary assembly carried by the writing table.

A still further object of th invention is to allow a pair of parallel feed devices to be adjusted toward and away from one another to compensate for variations in the distance between marginal strip perforations.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a simplified operating mechanism for the pin feed devices, including means for positively limiting and defining the cyclic movements of such mechanism.

A further object of the invention is to provide astrip feeding device possessing the advantageous structural features, the inherent meritorious characteristics and the mode ofoperation herein mentioned.

With the above primaryand other incidental objects in view as will more fully appear in the specification, the invention-intended to be protected by Letters Patent consists'of the features I of construction, the parts and combinations thereof, and the mode of operation, as hereinafter described or illustrated in the accompanying drawings, or their equivalents.

Referring to the accompanying drawings, wherein is found the preferred but obviously not necessarily the only form of embodiment of the invention,

Fig. 1 is a view in side elevation of an autographic register in accordance with the instant invention;

Fig. 2 is a detail view of a latch mechanism for the operating controls, showing such mecha nism in effective locked position;

Fig. 3 is a view similar to Fig. 2 showing the latch mechanism rendered ineffective;

Fig. 4 is a detail view in side elevation of a pin feed device utilizing three pins;

Fig. 5 is a view similar to Fig. 4, showing a four pin device;

Fig. 6 is a detail plan view of the unitary form advancement mechanism;

Fig. '7 is a view in exploded isometric of one end of the form advancement mechanism;

Fig. 8 is a view in perspective of the upper right hand corner of the register, disclosing the increased writing space available on the forms;

Fig. 9 is a detail view in perspective of an element in the operating controls; and

Fig. 10 is a view of an alternative form of pin feed device.

Like parts are indicated by similar characters of reference throughout the several views.

Referring to the drawings, the invention is disclosed in connection with an autographic register of a conventional kind, utilizing marginally punched record forms. The structure of the register includes, as shown in Fig. 1, a casing ll overlaid at the top thereof by a writing table [2. The table I2 is hinged at the rear of the register to a casing supported bracket 13. A lid M for the register is pivotally connected to the front end of the casing l l.

The record forms, shown at l5 in Fig. 8, ordinarily comprise superposed continuous strips, made up of interconnected sets of forms and folded in the rear of the register, with the leading end of the strips extending upon the writing table [2. Marginal perforations IS in the forms are engaged by pin feed devices (to be described) operated by a crank I! (Figs. 1 and 6) to advance successive sets of forms to and from a recording position upon the writing table.

In accordance with the instant invention, the form advancement mechanism is comprised in a unitary assembly carried by the writing table l2 on the underside thereof. As seen particularly in Figs. 1, 6 and 'Z, a support bar It extends transversely beneath the table l2 and is secured thereto by screws [9. At its right hand end (as viewed in Fig. 6) projecting studs 2! are set in the support it and slidably mount an auxiliary support 22 which is in efiect a continuation of the support bar l8. 'An adjustment screw 23 passes through the auxiliary support 22, in threaded engagement therewith, and is held against axial motion in the end of support bar [8, the construction and arrangement providing for a lateral shifting of the auxiliary support 22 relative to the support bar 18 by manipulative adjustment of the screw 23.

The auxiliary support 22 mounts a pin feed device 24, including feed pins 25, the device 24 underlying: atplate- 25 (Fig. 8) whichiis'secured;

to the supportzz'by' screws received in tapped openings 21 (Fig. 6) in the support. The plate 26 is accommodated in a cut out opening 28 (Fig;

8) in the edge of writing table It and .isn-con-r structed and arranged to form a part of the table.

A longitudinal slot 29 in the plate 25Epermit's; passage of the feed pins ifi through:thevvvriting table in order that they may engage the perforations IS in the forms l5. Lateral adjustmentof the auxiliary support 22, such motion being transferred to the feed device 24 and theplate- 26, enables accurate alignment of the feed pins withlitheiperforations in the forms;

Adiacentito the opposite-nor left hand: end oil the support bar l3 is.anotherfeeddevice13 1 sub stantially identicali 110113116 device 24 and shaving pins 32 to engage the opposite marginal edge-of with -a; pinion; 3'] on; aushaft- 38. The shafttit extendsztbrougnatcut out opening 39 in'the plate S'flandzthnoughtherarm 35170 a journaled mount ingr-imazverticallwalli ll ofinthe supportbar, the wall M beingrlaterallyrspaced from the arm: 35. Adjacent to th'eazwall =3! a gear: 52; is secured: to theshaft 38iand:meshes witha pinion t3 fasten a shaft 44. The shaft 44 is rotatably mounted-at" itszone: end irraxprojectionld 1011 .the support bar I 8 and similarlytmountedzati; its opposite end in, the auxiliary supper-i722; the shaft being afabricatedf'elementfincorporatingi an expansion joint 46': to allow.- theupreviously: described relative lateral adjustment of the. auxiliary support I, 22 The feeddevices E iand 3i are-operatively associated 'withaithetoppositesends of; the shaft M, as Will hereinafter'more clearly: appear. Accord.- ingly; the I turning i of the: crank: i ,l': is. effective, through" the. described driving: connections; to operate the feed devices andcadvancez.therforms;

so: that the extent? ofrf advancement of the forms may be positively defined, ailatcho-mechar nism is provided, includingr'a stud 4i setinthegearSii anda latchh liithaving a. cutout opening; 49 to receiveethe. stud; The latch 3 presents slots ti and 52, the latterzrhaving an inclined lower: edge; receiving fixedlstudslfimirr arr end; walLid ofzthessupportbar l8 spacedfrom the verticallzwall ii .and connected-thereto by; a; web,- 55. The latchfl lii is..accordingdyr slidable'to and fromallimitingipositionlxvith.respecttothestud, itsrmotionibeing, a; combinationsliding and tilt? ing;movementiby reasonof the slopeof the slot 52.1. A spring: 58, tensioned. between a. lateral pin 510m latch 48 andarrnpright post 58 in web 55, urgesthelatch/in a direction to engage opening with studi fi. With the partsso-engaged, the gea1r36 cannot. be: turned and the crank; liis accordinglydatchedi against "movement. Release of thelatch 48 is 'accomplishedby'a finger SBQenV-V gagingaan ear 6i on'the-upper edge of latch 68; The-finger 53'. is secured to a shaft. 82 rotatabhr mounted intheend'wall Ed an'd furthermount ing' a'finger manipulative-lever fiii': AsShOWn-"in The feeddevices Hand 31:

Fig. 6, th lever 83 is arranged alongside the crank I! so that it may be depressed to release latch 48 just prior to the turning of the crank, the two operations being performed at about the same time by the same hand of the operator. The initial motion of the crank moves the stud 4111 out of cooperative relation withi the latch opening lil- (see Fig; 3) so that the -lever*63 may be promptly released, allowing the latch 48 to return to a position to intercept the stud 4'! and sosprovide-a limit stop for motion of the crank (see Fig. 2). In the illustrated instance there is' -but assingletstudokt. Accordingly, the crank is freatomake-one complete turn. Should it be desired-to liinitthecyclic operation to some fractionali-parvtzof...acomplete turn then additional studs may be installed on the gear 35, in a suitabl' relation to one another.

The gear train driving the pin feed devices is intended for operation in only one direction; that indicated by" the arrows-int Fig: 7'. To inhibit mot-ioninithe opposite direction there is-mounted omshaftiaasrollert i; Bearing upon the roller li l isa cam65 eccentrically mounted-on .a -stud'. fifiajournaled in the supporting:- arm' 35. That part=ofthe-edgeof cam Gil-which engages-the roller 64 isserrated for better gripping-engage? ment. The rotation of the roller-G ide unopposed byncam during rotationnofr the shaft 38.--inl a clockwise: direction, as seenrin' Fig. '7.- Should the-f shaft lee-turned? in the oppositer directiorn however, the high part ofthe: cam-is brought tobear on-the roller whichlisiaccordingly prevented from rotatin A springdetent. Blholdssthe cam 65 in cooperative relation-with"the-roller 64;.-

The support bar; I aalso-provides a mounting for thetear-ba-r 83rwhich rests on: the writing-table. and: holds theforms thereon. The. bar 68 is carried betweenw'armsififi. secured. to opposite-ends of; a shaftJl journaled 'betweenirespective projeetions'.-on=l the-support bar o I 8; and the auxiliary, support 22. The tear bar assembly isurged downward .by tension: springs 72- anchoned tOfSlliliable points-onrthe'principaland auxiliary; sup.-- ports. A coil spring 13 onrthe shaft-1| bears on the auxiliary support" 22,. to' maintain a pressure on thethreads of theadiustment screw '2 3-.

Considering; now --thepinc feed; devices: 24- and 31, sinceebothc are thesame-"in. construction and mode of operation:azdescriptiomof the: device 3 l:willsntfice-fonbothz. The pins -32 thereof are essentiallyt cylindricalc in: shape with-a square basefllandanofiset base extension 15: Aipivot studiTS :protrudeslaterally;from each' base: por-- tion 14 while a pivot stud TI protrudes-laterally. from:theebasezextension:15,; .the'respectivewtuds being-.5 vertically: alignednvith lone another; in: the longitudinakaxisnf the pine.

Thesstnds-JG a and .ll'i.=extendailr-oppositei direct. tions from the pins 32 and are: respectively received-1m ilongitudinaLopenings-nnidiscs slafand 19 Thea-disc. 182' is, secured'toizthezendzofishatt ilzwhi-leadisc: 19 iss-formedxwith'. a lcentral'stub shaft: 81, rotatably; receivediiin; amopening [ac-rm l'ihBefiXSdiSUDDOllT-EIHII 35: Aszshown morezclears lyi inarFig-g. 4,. the :disczzlfl is: eccentrica-lly? mounted witlr resp'ect toithe disc :18atheeshrd'sl316oarrdi1l engaging the disc: at corresponding? points 1 aria jacen'ts the peripheries: thereof. r In: thee illustratedainstanceethereiare three pins=32 iatthough this 1 number" may be increased? or: reduced-,:- as suggested in Fig. 5 where a pair of discs-83 211141 8.4 mount fourpinstfi Tlieconstruction and arrangement ofii the-feed device 3! accordingly is such as to present aseries.

'of pins which, in response to rotation of the device as efiected by operation of shaft 44, move in an upright position through a rotary path of relatively small radius. The pins occupy a perpendicular position relatively to the writing table I2 and the forms I 5 and maintain such position as they enter in and are withdrawn from the perforations 16. Since the feed pins have relatively short longitudinal travel relatively to the writing table, a greater part of the forms is available to be written upon than in prior registers. Thus, as shown in Fig, 8, carbon paper 86 which is interleaved with the forms l5 can be brought up to the first perforation on a form or within less than one inch from the leading edge thereof.

In the device 3| it disc 18 is positively will be understood that the driven by the shaft 44 and that the disc 19 is driven through the pins 32. An alternative arrangement is possible as shown in Fig. 10, wherein a pair of discs 8! mount pins 88 in the same manner as device 3i but with the disc formed as gears and meshing with a drive gear 39 corresponding to the gear 42.

From the above description it will be apparent that there is thus provided a device of the character described possessing the particular features of advantage before enumerated as desirable, but which obviously is susceptible of modification in its form, proportions, detail construction and arrangement of parts without departing from the principle involved or sacrificing any of its advantages.

While in order to comply with the statute the invention has been described in language more or less specific as to structural features, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the specific features shown, but that the means and construction herein disclosed comprise but one of several modes of putting the invention into effect.

Having thus described my invention, I claim:

1. In a strip feed mechanism, a pin feed device including a pair of axially of the pins, said pins interconnecting said discs for unison rotation thereof.

2. In a strip feed mechanism, a pin feed device including a rotatable disc, feed pins pivotally mounted on one side of said disc at spaced apart points adjacent the periphery thereof to revolve about the axis of said disc in response to rotation of the disc, and means for maintaining said pins in an approximately upright position during rotation of said disc.

3. In a strip feed mechanism, a pin feed device, including a rotatable carrier, feed pins pivotally mounted on said carrier, and a rotatable guide member in ofiset parallel relation to said carrier and pivotally connected to said pins to maintain the pins in an upright position during rotation of said carrier.

4. In a strip feed mechanism, a pin feed device, including a rotatable carrier, feed pins pivotally mounted on said carrier, said pins being connected to said carrier intermediate their respective ends, and guide means eccentrically disposed with respect to the axis of said carrier and engageable with said pins adjacent their one ends to maintain the pins in an upright position during rotation of said carrier.

5. In a strip feed mechanism, a pin feed device. including one or more pins, a pair of pivot 6 supports for each pin spaced apart in the longitudinal axis of said pin, and separate carriers for said pivot supports rotatable about respectively offset centers.

6. In a. strip feed mechanism, a pin feed device, including one or more pins, and a pair of pivot supports for each pin spaced apart in the longitudinal axis of said pin and rotatable about equidistant respectively ofiset centers.

7. In a strip feed mechanism, a pin feed device, including pin feed device,

11. In a strip feed mechanism, a support to receive on one side thereof a perforated strip, a pin feed device on the other side of said support, said device including a pin carrier rotatable about a crank for operation thereof, and a mounting for said mechanism on said writing table.

13. In an autographic register or like device utilizing marginally punched record forms, a.

writing table on which the forms are advanced amt-23%- 14s Insane.autoaraphic:;reaistea or;,-likesdevioeu utilizing $1 marginally; p u.nched.,. record: rfcrnis, a writing .tableonswhich the-- forms-a are: advanced to and from a recording position-,.;laterally spaced longitudinal slots-adjacent-pne endofthe writing tabla. said; table supporting. transversely spaced- :apa-rtupin. feed devices presenting' pins to extend; through said slots and: engage the mar: ginal, perforations inithe formsand. :a" mounting fsmoneof said devices providing for. longitudinal adjustment thereof, relative-to the other device .torachieve;accurate: registry, Withthe perforationslinlr the forms.=

15;: Anuautographicr register or like device; ac.- COEdiflg; to: claim 1%,; characterized in that said one: devicenincludes apportion-tanning apart of saidiwritingstable, one of said. longitudinalrslots m .1thetable being formed-in said :portion.-;

16. In an autcgraphic reglsterror like device utilizing? marginally"punched-record forms, a

writing;.itablei on which the forms are advanced tor-and: from'a-recording position; a,- formed: vancement. mechanism support secured to said table on the underside thereof pin feed; devices carried-by said support adjacent the sides. of thertable, one of said devices being mounted for lateral adjustmenttowardand from. the other device, crank means for positively operating one of: saiddeuices, a drive shaft interconnecting said: devices; and an expansible andqcontractib'le joint-in: said shaft for axial elongation and contraction thereof;

17. In-an; autographiczregister. or like device utilizing marginally; punched record forms, .a Writing table-on whichithe forms are advanced to: and. from: a recording: position, said table awritingtable-on which the forms are advanced to: and from a recording position, form advance ment mechanism including' form: engaging devices and a gear train fondriving said devices, a

crank :for operating said; gear 7 train, stud- :means on: an elementof; said-sear :train, aglatch engage-:-

ableiwithasaid.stuameans-ano releasinamember for ;said:.latch, arranged alongside said. ,cranle. for substantially concomitant-1 operatiom therewith,

23. In: a strip: feed; mechanism, a rotatablapin carrier, and: a plurality ofv feeding, pins carried. by-said carrier in approximately continuousparallel relation-to one. another.

21.. In a strip teed mechanism, arotatablemn carrier; a plurality of. feeding-,pins pivotally -con nected. tosaid. carrier.- torevolve. about the axis of said. carrier in response torotation vther.eof, and means for maintaining said pins. in an. approximately continuous parallel; relation, to. one another duringrotation oisaidcarrier.

22. In a strip feed mechanism, a rotatablepin carrier, a-plurality .ot feeding,- pinscarriedbysaid carrier torevolve, about zthaaxis thereon-1mm, sponse to rotationof said carrier,.;andr meansjor effecting substantially continuous pivotal ad justment of said pins durinarot'ationot sai'dl'carg rier. to maintain said. pins. in. anapproximately continuous parallelrelation to one another.

23. In a strip feed mechanisxm21-pinv feedd: vice including. av rotatabl'edisc,v feed pins..Di otally mounted on one sideofsaid discat spaced apart points adjacent the peripherythereoflto revolve about the axis of. said. disc in response to rotation. of: the disc, and. means for maintaining said pins. in a. positionsubstantially .perpend'ic: ular to the plane ,ofthestrip beingrfedthereby during rotation of said. disc.

24. In a strip feed mechanism, a pin ,feeddee vice, including a. rotatable. carrier, feed .Pjlns pivotally mounted on said. carrier, and a rotatable guidememb'er in offset parallel relation tosa'id carrier and pivotally connectedjo saidjpins to maintain the pins insubstantially .perpendicur lar. relation to theplane of'thestrip beingfed thereby duringrotation of said carrier.

ALBERT W. METZNERYs.

References Cited in: the file-of this patent UNITED STATES. PATENTS 

